ANTIQUE AMERICAN FLAG WITH 41 STARS, AN UNOFFICIAL STAR COUNT, ACCURATE FOR JUST 3 DAYS AND AMONG THE MOST RARE EXAMPLES OF THE 19TH CENTURY, MONTANA STATEHOOD, CA 1889

Available:

Sold

Frame Size (H x L):

Approx. 26.5" x 35"

Flag Size (H x L):

15.75" x 24.5"

Description....:

Numerous flags appeared with unofficial star counts in early America, produced by flag-makers in anticipation of the addition of more states. The 41 star flag is one such example. Just a tiny handful flags in this star count are known and they are among the most rare of the 19th century. To understand why, one may turn back the clock to 1867 and examine flag production from that year until the addition of the 44th state, in 1890.

After the Flag Act of 1818, the official “flag year” began every July 4th. So on Independence Day, all states having been added to the Union over the previous year were officially given a star. Makers of flags, however, did not wait for July 4th and official star counts. Flag-making was a competitive industry and many manufacturers added stars before new states were actually added, creating incentive for consumers to buy new flags and increase sales.

In 1867, Nebraska joined the Union as the 37th state. The 37 star flag became official on July 4th of that year and remained so until July 3rd, 1877. More than a year earlier, in the early part of 1876, flag makers were anticipating the addition of either one or two new states. Many began producing 38 and 39 star flags to reflect the admission of Colorado, which did, in fact, gain statehood on August 1st of that year, and the Dakota Territory, which did not until years later. It is for this reason that the 38 and 39 star counts are most commonly encountered on flags and related objects produced for the Centennial International Exhibition. This six-month long, World's Fair event, held in Philadelphia, served as the nucleus for celebrations of our nation’s 100-year anniversary of independence, which took place in that year.

Seeing that Dakota wasn't coming, production after 1876 seems to have reverted to the 38 star count. Then in 1889, thirteen years later, 39 star flags were once again manufactured with the anticipation of Dakota's admission. On November 2nd of that year, a surprise was lay in store for the makers of 39 star flags, when the territory arrived as two different states. This forever rendered 39 star flags both inaccurate and unofficial. Just a few days later, on November 8th, Montana entered the Union as the 41st state, followed by Washington State as number 42 just three days hence, on November 11th.

40 star flags were made in limited quantity, reflecting the Dakotas’ entry. This count is extremely scarce, but not exceptionally rare. Perhaps this is because some flag-makers anticipated the number correctly, and so some of the 40's are anticipatory flags.

41 star flags, by contrast, are among the rarest that exist in 19th century America. Accurate for just 3 days, an increase ending in a count of 41 on American national flags seems to not have been predicted.

By stark contrast, flags with the 42 star count are common (at least among printed examples, and a fair number of pieced-and-sewn examples are known). These reflect the four new states that arrived in that week-and-a-half, between November 2nd - 11th. For the next seven-eight months flag-makers seem to have favored this star count, producing many of them, probably with great enthusiasm and with fairly good reason. At this point in American history, 13 years was a very long time with no new states.

Then, on July, 3rd, 1890, just one day before the 42 star flag would have become official, Idaho snuck in as the 43rd state. This rendered the 42 star flag forever unofficial. The 43 star flag became official on July 4th, but flag-makers basically skipped over the count entirely, because on July 10th, just 7 days after Idaho gained statehood, Wyoming was admitted. Practically all flag-makers seem to have predicted this and 43 star flags, while official for one year, were overlooked in favor of those with a count of 44 to add Wyoming as well.

Even though the number of days that some of these stars counts were accurate are small, celebrations would have taken place in the respective states upon their addition, and perhaps in the nation’s capital and elsewhere throughout America. Some of the known 41 star flags, for example, may likely have been produced for these events, celebrating Montana statehood. Whatever the case may be, 41 star flags are among the most rare that exist in all of flag collecting.

This particular 41 star variety is a parade flag, printed on plain weave cotton. There are probably fewer than twenty such examples known to exist, all of which have the same star configuration, which consists of staggered rows of 5-4-5-4-5-4-5-4-5. It is highly unusual to have so many rows on a 19th century American national flag in any star count, in any variety, as flag-makers generally preferred fewer rows containing more stars. This particular style comes in two different sizes, of which this is the larger.

Mounting: The flag was mounted and framed within our own conservation department, which is led by masters degree trained staff. We take great care in the mounting and preservation of flags and have framed thousands of examples.

The background is 100% cotton twill, black in color. The 3-part frame is made of wood, yet has an excellent, distressed metallic finish that presents like gunmetal and rusted antique iron. Spacers keep the textile away from the glazing, which is U.V. protective glass. Feel free to contact us for more details.

Condition: Excellent, with only minor fading.

Collector Level:

Advanced Collectors and the Person with Everything

Flag Type:

Parade flag

Star Count:

41

Earliest Date of Origin:

1889

Latest Date of Origin:

1889

State/Affiliation:

Montana

War Association:

1866-1890 Indian Wars

Price:

SOLD

Views: 172

Contact

About Jeff Bridgman

As the nation's largest seller of early Stars & Stripes and political textiles, antique American flags are my foremost business. As a serious collector and dealer of 19th century paint-decorated furniture, folk art and textiles, American Fancy is my foremost love. As a American patriot, the convergence of these closely related fields has led to a life-long pursuit of the most colorful, rare, and magnificent examples. I hope you enjoy the pages herein.